In the Saddle — Coach Chris Francis

Date Published

Thursday, March 27, 2014

CHICKASHA – In a time of transition, the USAO men’s basketball team started the 2013-14 season to prove it was still a contender in the tough Sooner Athletic Conference — and the Drovers did just that.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better season with the time we had to get our players in and with (Head) Coach Metcalf and I in our first season,” Assistant Coach Chris Francis said. “I think we surprised a lot of people and ourselves. The kids came in and bought into what we needed to do, and they played really well.”

The Drovers had a powerful offense, putting up some big numbers in high profile games. With 2,385 points on the season, the Drovers are in the Top 50 in the NAIA in total scoring offense.

“We tried to score as many points as we could and try to play defense as well, but I think next year we are going to focus a little more on defense because offense is always going to be there,” Francis said.

He said the coaching staff is compiling a mixture of freshmen, junior college transfers and a couple of Division I transfers to round out this year’s recruiting class.

“Nobody is signing right now as of yet; it’s still early,” he said. “We’re on the recruiting trail … It’s just been pretty busy right now. We’re on the road trying to find some future Drovers, so it’s going well.”